Low-Protein Diet

What Is a Low-Protein Diet?

This diet may be advised if you have liver or kidney disease. The liver helps in protein digestion, and the kidneys are responsible for removing the waste products of protein digestion. If your liver or kidneys are not fully functioning, they will have to work extra hard to handle the protein that you eat. If you eat more protein than your liver or kidneys can handle, waste products will build up in your bloodstream, causing fatigue and a decreased appetite.

If you have chronic
kidney failure, adhering to a low-protein diet can delay your need for
dialysis
for up to a year. With kidney failure, you may also need to make other dietary changes, such as limiting your amounts of salt, potassium, phosphorous, and fluid. Work with a registered dietitian to come up with an eating plan that meets your nutritional and medical needs.

Dietary protein comes from 2 sources: animals and plants. Animal products are higher in protein and provide us with complete proteins. Complete proteins contain all of the essential amino acids that our bodies need to live and that we have to get from the food we eat. Plant products are lower in protein and provide us with incomplete proteins. Both types of protein should be a part of a healthful, low-protein diet.

The following chart categorizes food by group and lists the amount of protein per serving. Your doctor or dietitian will let you know how many grams of protein you can consume each day. On this diet, it is important that you work with a dietitian to make sure that you are within the recommended protein range and meeting all of your nutrient needs.

Meat and Meat Substitutes

1 serving = 7 grams protein

Type

One Serving

Beef, poultry, fish, lamb, veal

1 ounce

Cheese

1 ounce or ¼ of a cup shredded

Eggs

1

Peanut butter

2 tablespoons

Dried peas or beans (cooked)

½ of a cup

Milk

1 serving = 4 grams protein

Type

One Serving

Milk, cream, and yogurt

½ of a cup

Ice cream

¾ of a cup

Starches

1 serving = 3 grams protein

Type

One Serving

Bagel (varies), 4-ounce

¼ of a bagel (1-ounce)

Bread (white, pumpernickel, whole wheat, rye)

1 slice

Broth-based soup

1 cup

Cooked beans, peas, or corn

½ of a cup

Cooked cereal

½ of a cup

Crackers

4-6

English muffin, hot dog bun, or hamburger bun

½

Pasta

½ of a cup

Rice

1/3 of a cup

Potato

1 small or ½ of a cup mashed

Sweet potato or yam

½ of a cup

Tortilla

1 small

Unsweetened, dry cereal

¾ of a cup

Vegetables

1 serving = 2 grams protein

Type

One Serving

Cooked vegetables

½ of a cup

Raw vegetables

1 cup

Tomato or vegetable juice

½ of a cup

Fruits

1 serving = 0.5 grams protein

Type

One Serving

Canned fruit

½ of a cup

Dried fruit

¼ of a cup

Fresh fruit

1 small or 1 cup (like cut up or berries)

Fresh juice

½ of a cup

Fats and Sugars

Pure fats and sugars contain no protein. But, foods made mostly of fat or sugar, such as cake, cookies, ice cream, snack chips, and fried foods tend to be high in calories and low in nutrition. There are some fats that are healthy in moderation, including olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and nuts. Ask your dietitian about how foods from this group can fit into your diet.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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